A double-homicide defendant received an extension to file an insanity plea from DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Oct. 3.
Ronzoni Jackson, Jr. 26, is charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence.
Jackson’s charges are in connection to his alleged involvement in the fatal shootings of two brothers, 28-year-old Octavio Quintano and 35-year-old Osmine Quintano, on Dec. 12, 2023, on the 2300 block of 4th Street, NE.
According to court documents, the suspect was initially identified through distinctive facial features captured on surveillance footage.
Sellano Simmons, Jackson’s defense attorney, first told Judge Edelman on Aug. 1 that he was working on an insanity defense for trial.
Simmons said that while he had been consulting an expert who will evaluate Ronzoni to determine whether to use an insanity defense during trial, he is currently awaiting medical records from Mercy Hospital, Washington Medical Center, and the DC Jail.
The prosecution argued that a trial date has already been set for Feb. 9, 2026, and that the defense had previously received two extensions to go forward with pursuing an insanity defense.
Judge Edelman asked the prosecution how would respond if Jackson were convicted and the outcome challenged based on an insanity finding. The prosecutors responded they would seek their own mental evaluation.
The prosecution motioned to begin the process now. The defense argued that they had not yet decided to go forward with the insanity plea, and that Jackson was not required to speak to any other mental health experts.
A criminal responsibility exam requires a specialized assessment by a mental health professional to determine if a defendant’s mental state at the time of the crime allowed them to understand the wrongfulness of their actions or conform their conduct to the law.
Judge Edelman chose not to rule on the prosecution’s oral motion at this time, and asked for the defense to late-file their motion regarding their insanity defense, and to disclose the delayed timeline by Oct. 22.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 24.
